Luka Modric was able to bid farewell to Real Madrid's fans after a victory at Bernabéu. He did so in tears and with a small speech. He will not continue next season and will say goodbye when the participation in the Club World Cup ends, coinciding with the expiration of his contract. They didn't want to renew him and now, being almost 40 years old, he has to look for a new destination to arrive in top condition for the next World Cup with Croatia.
Pedja Mijatovic reveals where Luka Modric will play
Speaking on Cadena SER, Pedja Mijatovic, close to Modric and former player and worker of Real Madrid, has revealed what his plans are. He has to leave, but he is clear that he will not head to an exotic destination, trying to keep playing at the elite level.
"I know Luka very well. You don't know how this guy thinks. At his age, with everything he has achieved, the hunger this kid has to overcome and do things... I haven't seen it in my life. In Spain, he obviously won't continue. But don't be surprised if he ends up in England, mind you, where they go 93 mph (150 km/h). Don't be surprised if he ends up in Italy. Or in Germany. Because many teams want him," he started.
Regarding the option of Saudi Arabia, he couldn't have been more blunt: "In soccer, anything is possible, but knowing him, I think not. Because he wants to compete, he wants to be well, he wants to be fit, and that can be provided in the five major leagues."
Modric's '10' becomes available at Real Madrid
Luka Modric's definitive departure not only marks the farewell of a true legend of Real Madrid, but also a bomb move in the marketing department. With the Croatian leaving, the number 10 will be available next season, being the most desired jersey number by everyone. It seems it won't be without an owner for long, with a clear successor: Kylian Mbappé.
Mbappé started with the 9 at Real Madrid, while in Paris he became 'famous' for wearing the 7. This will change next season. The number that has always been the French forward's favorite is the 10, and it has been his dream since he was a child to wear it at Santiago Bernabéu. In the summer of his arrival, the rumors were rampant, but Florentino's response was clear: "You will wear it when Modric leaves."
That said, this is the immediate plan. With Modric leaving, Kylian Mbappé will be the new 10 at Real Madrid, fulfilling the dream he had since he was a child. In a famous comic about his life, it was revealed that one of the gifts he asked for as a child was the merengue club's jersey with this number and the name Kylian. Everything will be the same except for this last part, opting to keep using his last name.